Structural welding

[BRoadGhost]

Can you MIG weld to cast iron?

[novaxe235]

No, arc weld it with cast rods, heat what ever your welding before with gas as well.

[Adam]

It welds easy enough but the heat/cooling tends to crack the cast.
Pretty dodgy. I managed to weld up a cracked exhaust manifold but dont expect it to last forever.

Easy with a stick welder (so I'm told)

[bazzap8389]

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/support/welding-how-to/pages/welding-cast-iron-detail.aspx

[bazzap8389]

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/support/welding-how-to/pages/welding-cast-iron-detail.aspx

Weld cast at my work, its usually done on a sub arc though

[BRoadGhost]

Sometimes I wonder how successful a plan like this could be once welded:-

http://d.pictureupload.us/129353580352230f08c83a0.jpg

http://d.pictureupload.us/111923074952230f3444207.jpg

[Benn]

Surely a bracket would be easier and stronger no?^

[mowgli]

the hub carrier will not actually be cast iron. it will be cast steel, much stronger. a good welder should be able to sort you out, but machining it straight will be a pig.. thus i agree with benn about making up an adaptor out of some 8 or 10mm steel plate

[Andy]

good luck!

[blue_peg_16v]

My willwoods have alloy adapter brackets

[_Jake]

Welding wont be a problem, pre and post heating will be though. Wouldnt bother imo would just get a bracket made

[Royston]

Bracket for me, welding/preheat would require a new wheel bearing, could also warp!

[meritlover]

Why on earth would you want to weld that instead of using an adapter bracket?

[deneil_gsi2000]

Even with all the pre and post heat you still can't guarantee the welds unless you get a firm to test the parts I.e NDT, and by the time you've done all that you could probably of had a set of bespoke hubs built for the money it'll cost ya. I'd scrap that idea mate and get a set of adapters made, it's a far to crucial part to be welding. A welded bracket may look better but an adapter will be much safer

[Benn]

Also, looks like the easiest bracket to make ever too, no step in height from the looks or it or anything...

[TonySR]

I think what Simon is getting at is he wants to run the calipers on the rear of the hub as opposed to the front?

[GRUNT 16V]

fook welding hubs !!!! get a bracket made up

[BRoadGhost]

Yeah Tony's on the same page; hello mate.

I guess something like this from billet could be made:-

http://sadpanda.us/images/1826982-245TU3O.jpg

[Benn]

Yeah Tony's on the same page; hello mate.

I guess something like this from billet could be made:-

http://sadpanda.us/images/1826982-245TU3O.jpg

Oh so you want the caliper on the other side? (didn't spot that in the first pics unless you've changed them)

[Pistol Pete]

Fail. Surely some quick measurements and even a rough drawing on MSpaint and a decent engineering shop could machine some brackets up for you?

[mowgli]

ok, sorry for us not getting that....

1. it might not fit. the steering joint arm could foul it...
2. your brake line/bracket etc will be in the wrong place.
3. bleeding might be an issue
4. surely it will get hotter back there cos the airflow won't be quite so good.

[Benn]

Why would bleeding a issue? As long as the nipples at the top it will bleed.

[Pistol Pete]

Looking at how it is mocked up above, the nipple is at the bottom...

[deneil_gsi2000]

Its just a case of the left-right caliper switcharoo

[mowgli]

Why would bleeding a issue? As long as the nipples at the top it will bleed.

if you couldn't get it to fit in the right place so the nipple is at the top, it might be

[Benn]

Ah yes sorry.